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Agricultural Technicians

Typical education: Associate degreeLower pressure

What they do

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $49,630 Median per year · $23.86/hr Most earn $35,980–$76,480

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
  • Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
  • Collect animal or crop samples.
  • Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.
  • Prepare culture media, following standard procedures.
  • Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.

Job outlook

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 2,800 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools22.7%
  • Animal production and aquaculture13.6%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences11.4%
  • Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods11.1%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services7.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Agricultural Technician is usually reached after an associate degree plus about 2 to 4 years of related hands-on work, so it's not usually a straight-out-of-school job. Most people spend roughly 4 to 6 years total getting from high school to this role.

  1. Associate degree in agriculture, plant science, or biology

    2 years

    You learn lab methods, plant or animal science, and how to collect and record data, which are the core skills this job uses every day.

  2. Farm Worker or Agricultural Lab Assistant

    1-2 years

    You gain real experience handling crops or animals, running equipment, and keeping careful records, which employers look for when hiring technicians.

  3. Agricultural Technician

    Target role

    You work with agricultural scientists to set up lab equipment, collect samples, run tests, and help improve crop yield or disease resistance.

Where it can lead

  1. Precision Agriculture Technician

    2-4 years of experience first

    You focus on high-tech tools such as GPS, drones, sensors, and farm data systems to guide planting and field decisions, which builds on your technician skills with new equipment and software.

  2. Agricultural Supervisor (First-Line Supervisor of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers)

    2-4 years in a technician or field role of experience first

    You take charge of a crew or operation, scheduling work, training others, and making sure tasks are done safely and on time, which requires strong leadership and communication.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and mathThese classes build the science and measurement skills you'll use in lab and field work.
  • Join an agriculture or 4-H style youth clubClub projects teach animal or plant care, record keeping, and teamwork that show you enjoy this kind of work.
  • Enter a science fair with a plant or soil projectDesigning an experiment, collecting data, and presenting results is close to what agricultural technicians do.
  • Get a summer or part-time job on a farm, nursery, or greenhouseWorking with crops or animals gives you real-world experience and helps you see whether this path fits you.
  • Volunteer with a local garden, community farm, or extension officeHelping with planting, sampling, or record keeping builds practical skills and useful references.

In college

  • Major in plant science, animal science, agronomy, or biologyThese majors or associate programs teach the lab and field knowledge technicians use daily.
  • Take statistics and a data or GIS courseData skills are useful for recording experiment results and for precision agriculture work.
  • Work as a lab assistant or research helper on campusCampus research labs or teaching farms give you hands-on lab experience and faculty references.
  • Seek a summer internship with a farm, seed company, or agricultural research siteInternships show employers you can handle real fieldwork and sample collection.
  • Check whether your state offers a pesticide applicator certificationMany states require or offer this license for people who handle crop protection products, and it can strengthen your resume.

Tips for getting started

  • Get hands-on experience early, because employers often value practical field and lab work as much as the degree itself.
  • Ask an associate degree program whether it offers lab work, internships, or job placement help, and choose one with real practical training.
  • Learn basic data skills, such as spreadsheets and simple statistics, since technicians record and analyze results every day.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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